MC5-Stream

Stream Characteristics ||
 * ~ Marsh Creek Site 5
 * ~ Upstream view of Marsh Creek ||
 * [[image:watershed2012/MCupstream2 width="400" height="300"]] || [[image:watershed2012/MCupstream1 width="400" height="300"]] ||


 * ~ Downstream view of Marsh Creek ||
 * [[image:watershed2012/MCdownstream1 width="400" height="300"]] || [[image:watershed2012/MCdownstream2 width="400" height="300"]] ||

**__Overview__**
During the weekly monitoring of Marsh Creek, measurements were taken pertaining to the creek's width and depth so that discharge could be calculated as indicated in the chart below. This was done every week in conjunction with the other monitoring tests being performed. On the week of June 14, 2012, additional measurements were taken for the bankfull width and stream reach. Surveys of the general in-stream characteristics and a visual-biological factors were also conducted by the group members during the week of June 21, 2012.

The study area for Marsh Creek had a bankfull width of 22.5 ft with a reach of 270 ft. The average width of the stream (from bank to bank) was 12.49 ft with an average depth of 0.49 ft. It should be noted that prior to the measurements taken on June 14, 2012, there was rain the previous night. As a result, the width of the stream during that week as 13.58 ft, while the following two weeks it was 11.90 and 12.00 ft, respectively.
 * __Physical Measurements__**

The steam flow decreased each week over the course of the monitoring. On the week of June 14 (after the rain event) the stream flow was measured at 6.91 cfs. The following week it was measured at 2.10 cfs, and during the last week of monitoring it was measured at 1.37 cfs. This was likely due to the lack of rain after what was seen during the week of June 14 as well as the progressive increase in the temperatures over the monitoring period.





**__In-Stream Characteristics__**
The course of Marsh Creek within the study area had a few turns, which produced 3 pools, 1 riffle and 2 runs. The gravel and pebbles located within the riffle (found directly downstream of the bridge) were lightly embedded, while some of the other heavier rocks on the right and left banks were embedded more. There was no large woody debris within the stream, however there were occasional piles of decaying leaves and twigs found at the bottom of the pools. There was a slight rotten egg odor to the water during the week of June 21, and it is thought that this was coming from the previously mention leaf piles. The water was generally clear and free of any suspended matter throughout the monitoring period. The left bank of the creek (looking upstream) was heavily vegetated with dense shrub brushes, interspersed with a few trees. The slope on that side was fairly gentle in most places, however the few trees found that were close to bank all had exposed roots. The right side of the bank (again - looking upstream) was slightly less vegetated than the left, but had many more trees and less shrub brushes. There were a few exposed roots on this side, but they were not as extensive as there was virtually no slope to this side of the creek bank.

Watershed level stream characteristics data from all sites can be found here.

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